Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The amendment states, "Notwithstanding the provisions of section 40, nothing in this Act affects, limits or inhibits the right of the Government in any case where it advises the President to appoint any member of the Supreme Court [...] to any judicial office". Therefore, it does apply to a member of the Supreme Court being made Chief Justice, for instance. Let us get that straight. With the greatest of respect, the Minister should not contradict me on it. This amendment deals with a situation where the Government decides to appoint a member of the Supreme Court to be Chief Justice. The Minister's interruption is interesting because it shows he has not read the amendment.